I
usually see the tops of the daffodil poke through on the south side of the
house at the end of February. This winter has been mild and the green shoots
are already at least two inches high. The seed catalogues are arriving and the
days are noticeably longer. It’s time to think about gardening.
Aside
from the psychic satisfaction and the widely accepted mental health benefits of
gardening, there are physical benefits as well. Gardening can offer enough
moderate exercise to keep older adults in shape. Spending 30
minutes a day doing tasks of moderate intensity for several days per week is
enough to be considered good physical activity. Even breaking up the
sessions into at least 8 minute segments, several times a day can be
beneficial.
Researchers
at Kansas State published a study in HortScience that assessed 15
areas of health in older adults, from both those who garden and those who
don't. The researchers looked at measurements like bone mineral density, sleep
quality, physical fitness, hand strength and psychological well-being, all of
which improved with gardening. Gardening also lends itself to
strength training and improved flexibility if done regularly, which in turn
helps to prevent osteoporosis.
A key health benefit was keeping hands strong and
nimble. Gardeners have better hand strength and pinch force. Activities such as
raking offer the most exercise benefit, while mixing soil and transplanting
seedlings benefit the upper body.
A not inconsequential byproduct of gardening can be
fresh fruits and vegetables. There are many reports on the benefits of urban
horticulture, both for individuals and the entire community. There is no such
thing as a black thumb – with minimal materials anyone can enjoy flowers,
greens and vegetables.
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